Oncology Physiotherapy Course

Lesson 1 • Oncology Medical Terminology and Reports

Builds fluency in pathology reports, imaging findings, and oncology documentation. Supports accurate interdisciplinary communication and safe clinical reasoning.

Lesson 2 • Cancer Biology and Cell Behaviour

Covers cellular mechanisms of malignant transformation, tumour growth, and metastasis. Provides the biological basis for understanding treatment side effects and contraindications.

Lesson 3 • Classification and Staging of Cancer

Introduces TNM staging, cancer grading, and major tumour classifications. Enables therapists to read oncology reports and contextualise patient prognosis.

Lesson 1 • Radiation Therapy Effects on Tissue and Function

Explains acute and late radiation effects including fibrosis, lymphoedema risk, and bone fragility. Informs tissue-specific precautions and long-term monitoring strategies.

Lesson 2 • Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy Considerations

Addresses immune-related adverse events, fatigue, and musculoskeletal effects of newer therapies. Prepares therapists to monitor and adapt treatment for patients on these agents.

Lesson 3 • Surgical Oncology and Rehabilitation Needs

Covers resection types, reconstructive procedures, and post-surgical tissue changes. Establishes precautions and early rehabilitation priorities following oncological surgery.

Lesson 4 • Hormonal Therapy and Bone Health

Covers androgen and oestrogen deprivation effects on bone density, muscle mass, and joint health. Links hormonal therapy to osteoporosis risk and exercise-based mitigation strategies.

Lesson 1 • Physical Examination in Oncology Patients

Adapts standard physiotherapy examination techniques to oncology-specific precautions and presentations. Covers musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory assessment modifications.

Lesson 2 • Risk Stratification and Clinical Reasoning

Synthesises assessment findings to stratify patients by rehabilitation risk and readiness. Guides safe progression of physiotherapy intensity and modality selection.

Lesson 3 • Fatigue, Pain, and Quality of Life Assessment

Applies validated tools to quantify cancer-related fatigue, pain intensity, and health-related quality of life. Integrates psychosocial screening into the holistic oncology assessment.

Lesson 4 • Functional Capacity and Performance Measures

Introduces validated outcome measures for strength, endurance, balance, and functional mobility in cancer patients. Enables objective tracking of rehabilitation progress over time.

Lesson 1 • Pathophysiology of Cancer-Related Fatigue

Explains multifactorial mechanisms including inflammation, anaemia, sleep disruption, and deconditioning. Provides the biological rationale for selecting targeted fatigue interventions.

Lesson 2 • Behavioural and Psychosocial Fatigue Strategies

Integrates cognitive-behavioural approaches, sleep hygiene, and mindfulness to address fatigue's psychosocial dimensions. Complements physical interventions with evidence-based behavioural tools.

Lesson 3 • Exercise as a Fatigue Intervention

Presents aerobic and resistance exercise evidence for reducing cancer-related fatigue. Establishes dose-response principles for exercise prescription during and after treatment.

Lesson 1 • Resistance Training for Cancer Patients

Prescribes resistance training to address muscle loss, bone density, and functional strength in oncology. Includes load management and safety modifications for at-risk populations.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Exercise Oncology

Establishes the evidence base for exercise benefits including survival, recurrence reduction, and quality of life. Frames exercise as a therapeutic modality within oncology care.

Lesson 3 • Exercise During Active Treatment

Adapts exercise prescription for patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery recovery. Applies blood count thresholds and symptom-based modifications to maintain safety.

Lesson 4 • Long-Term Exercise Programming and Survivorship

Designs sustainable exercise programmes for cancer survivors addressing late effects and chronic conditions. Supports transition from supervised rehabilitation to independent physical activity.

Lesson 1 • Lymphatic System and Lymphoedema Pathophysiology

Reviews lymphatic anatomy, fluid dynamics, and mechanisms of lymphoedema development after cancer treatment. Establishes the physiological basis for all decongestive interventions.

Lesson 2 • Compression Therapy and Bandaging

Covers multilayer bandaging, compression garment selection, and fitting for lymphoedema management. Ensures safe application and patient education for sustained compression use.

Lesson 3 • Manual Lymphatic Drainage Techniques

Teaches the sequence, pressure, and direction of manual lymphatic drainage for upper and lower limb lymphoedema. Develops hands-on technical proficiency in this core decongestive skill.

Lesson 4 • Lymphoedema Assessment and Measurement

Applies circumferential, volumetric, and bioimpedance measurement techniques to detect and monitor lymphoedema. Ensures accurate baseline documentation and outcome tracking.

Lesson 1 • Bone Metastasis and Skeletal Complications

Addresses pathological fracture risk, spinal instability, and pain management in bone metastasis. Applies validated risk tools to guide safe loading and mobility interventions.

Lesson 2 • Spinal Cord Compression and Neurological Emergencies

Identifies red flags for malignant spinal cord compression and guides urgent referral and safe positioning. Prepares therapists to manage neurological emergencies within their scope of practice.

Lesson 3 • Cancer-Related Muscle Weakness and Sarcopenia

Identifies cachexia, sarcopenia, and treatment-induced muscle loss and their functional consequences. Prescribes progressive resistance and nutritional support strategies to restore muscle mass.

Lesson 4 • Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Covers sensory, motor, and autonomic neuropathy patterns caused by neurotoxic chemotherapy agents. Applies balance, strengthening, and sensory retraining interventions to reduce fall risk.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Palliative Rehabilitation

Defines palliative rehabilitation goals across restorative, supportive, and palliative phases of care. Aligns physiotherapy interventions with patient prognosis, values, and quality of life priorities.

Lesson 2 • Mobility and Function at End of Life

Maintains safe mobility, transfers, and functional independence as long as clinically appropriate. Guides timely transitions to assisted mobility and caregiver training.

Lesson 3 • Symptom Management in Palliative Physiotherapy

Applies physiotherapy techniques to manage dyspnoea, pain, fatigue, and oedema in palliative patients. Prioritises comfort and functional independence within the patient's remaining capacity.